The Valenhart estate was unusually quiet that morning.
Sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Servants moved about their duties as usual, yet for Hiro… everything felt slightly different.
He stood alone in the training yard, staring at his own hand.
The memory of the forest still lingered.
The moment when everything slowed.
The moment when something… responded.
Hiro clenched his fingers slowly.
"…What was that?"
There was no answer.
Only silence.
After a few seconds, he exhaled and shook his head.
"Focus."
If something had changed, then there was only one thing he could do—
Understand it.
Training
Hiro stepped back and raised his hand.
Mana gathered instantly.
"Fire Arrow."
The spell formed faster than before, cleaner, sharper.
It shot forward and struck the target with a loud crack, burning deeper than usual.
Hiro narrowed his eyes.
Stronger…
Not by a large margin.
But noticeable.
He tried again.
And again.
Each time, the spell felt more… natural.
As if his body had learned something new overnight.
That doesn't make sense.
Normally, improvement required repetition, effort, time.
But this—
This felt like a sudden jump.
"Pushing yourself again?"
Hiro turned.
His father stood at the edge of the training yard, watching him.
Hiro straightened slightly.
"I wanted to test something."
Albrecht walked closer, his gaze shifting briefly to the damaged training target.
"You handled yourself well yesterday."
The praise was calm, but it carried weight.
Hiro hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"…That wasn't entirely me."
Albrecht's eyes sharpened.
"Explain."
Hiro looked down at his hand again.
"For a moment, it felt like everything slowed. My thoughts were clearer… but also colder."
He paused.
"It didn't feel normal."
A short silence followed.
Albrecht didn't interrupt.
He simply listened.
"Power often reveals itself in moments of danger," he finally said.
"But power that feels unfamiliar… should not be ignored."
Hiro nodded.
"I know."
Albrecht studied him carefully.
"From now on, you will not train alone in the forest."
"…You noticed."
"I always notice."
Hiro let out a quiet breath.
That was expected.
After a moment, Albrecht placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Control comes before strength."
His voice was firm.
"Remember that."
Hiro nodded again.
"…I will."
A Softer Moment
Later that day, Hiro found himself in the inner garden of the estate.
Compared to the training yard, this place felt peaceful.
Flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the sound of water flowing from a small fountain filled the air.
His mother sat nearby, holding a book in her hands.
When she noticed him, she smiled.
"You're not training?"
Hiro walked over and sat beside her.
"I needed a break."
"That's rare."
He gave a small shrug.
"I was told not to overdo it."
Elenora chuckled softly.
"A wise decision. Though I wonder who told you that."
Hiro didn't answer.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
It was quiet.
Comfortable.
Then—
"Hiro."
Her voice was gentle.
"When you returned yesterday… you seemed different."
Hiro stiffened slightly.
"…Different how?"
She closed her book.
"Not worse. Just… quieter."
He looked away.
"I was just tired."
That wasn't entirely a lie.
Elenora watched him for a moment, then reached out and gently brushed his hair back.
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
Hiro froze.
That simple sentence…
For some reason, it felt heavier than anything else.
He forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
She didn't press further.
But her eyes softened.
"…If you say so."
The Study Returns
Peace never lasted long.
"Young Master, it is time."
Hiro didn't even need to turn around.
"…Of course it is."
Magnus stood behind him, as composed as ever.
"The Royal Academy entrance examination includes written evaluation, magical theory, and historical analysis."
Hiro sighed.
"I remember."
"Good."
Magnus placed several books on the table.
Each one looked heavier than the last.
Hiro stared at them.
"…This is punishment."
"This is preparation."
Hiro opened one of the books slowly.
"Same thing."
Magnus ignored that.
"Today we will focus on mana theory and spell structure."
The lesson began.
Time passed.
Very slowly.
"…Mana flows through internal channels known as—"
Hiro's voice grew weaker with each passing minute.
By the end—
He placed his head on the desk.
"I would rather fight ten wolves."
Magnus adjusted his gloves.
"And yet, knowledge will save you far more often than strength."
Hiro didn't respond.
He didn't have the energy.
After a short pause, Magnus added:
"However… your understanding has improved."
Hiro lifted his head slightly.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
A small pause.
"You are no longer completely hopeless."
Hiro stared at him.
"…Thank you. I think."
Night Thoughts
That night, Hiro stood by the window in his room.
The sky was clear.
Stars stretched endlessly above him.
The estate was quiet.
Peaceful.
But his mind wasn't.
He raised his hand again, looking at it in the dim light.
That moment in the forest…
The system glitch…
The strange clarity…
None of it felt like coincidence.
Slowly, a faint screen flickered into existence.
[System Status]
Level: 8
Skills: Stable
Condition: Normal
For a moment, everything looked fine.
Then—
A brief distortion.
So quick it could have been imagined.
[Hidden Trait: ???]
Status: Incomplete
It disappeared instantly.
Hiro's eyes narrowed.
"…So it's real."
Whatever this was—
It hadn't fully awakened yet.
And that meant one thing.
It would happen again.
He lowered his hand slowly.
The calm days inside the estate…
The peaceful conversations…
The quiet training…
They wouldn't last forever.
And deep down—
He already knew it.